Preliminary research has indicated that owners of properties around the garage have been approached to see if they are interested in selling their properties, or the development rights (aka "air rights") to their properties.

Not surprised at all…. been expecting this to happen for a while. But still a little disappointed. I'm sure they will be a huge tall building likely out of character with the surrounding ones.

Agree to an extent. That said, I'd prefer what is likely coming (assuming that its not a skyscraper) vs. what is there now, which is also out of balance with many of the homes/buildings on the block at present. .

with this and the recent loss of street parking on the vanderbilt/dean/carlton block due to construction, this area lost maybe about 100 spaces. people with cars are prolly feeling the squeeze a little bit now.

with this and the recent loss of street parking on the vanderbilt/dean/carlton block due to construction, this area lost maybe about 100 spaces. people with cars are prolly feeling the squeeze a little bit now.

Yup. Especially with all those film crews taking up whole blocks at a time.

Can't really say I've felt a noticeable difference in how hard it is to find a spot since it closed, but then b/c I drive to work everyday, I'm not looking for a coveted "dont have to move for a couple days" spot. Plus I wonder how far a radius the former parking lot users lived in, meaning these arent 100 cars in a 2 block radius, but maybe spread over much more.

"This sizable garage at 280 St. Marks Avenue in Prospect Heights will meet the wrecking ball to make way for a five-story, 32-unit apartment building. Designed by DXA Studio, the 50,000-square-foot development will have 64 underground parking spots, a gym and 54 bike storage spaces, per new building applications filed last week.

Demolition applications were filed to knock down the garage in early December. The single-story building dates back to the ’20s and measures roughly 20,000 square feet. The developers are Wild Edge Group and Fifth Square Partners, who closed on the property for an undisclosed amount in November, according to Wild Edge’s website"

Did a little digging on this project since we haven't seen any renders to date, and DXA doesn't show it on their website.

Looks like the developer also bought 106 Underhill - a 3 story residential building (or at least it's air rights - there was a $928K "easement" transaction back in January; and a landlocked lot in the middle of the block (Block 1152 Lot 163) to gerrymander a rather unusual looking new lot that reaches back behind 280 St Marks and includes 106 Underhill.

Given that 106 Underhill shows up on their plot as "3 story building to remain", I'd guess it either allows an additional floor or additional bulk beyond the standard zoning.

Come to think of it, that may be exactly what 317 St Marks did a block east: originally it looked like the big apartment building might have a rear entrance on Bergen, but now there's a separate building planned for the vacant lot that used to be part of the parking lot.

Anyway, there's also a partial Stop Work on the 280 St Marks project for unsafe conditions and unpaid fines. The building itself looks pretty unremarkable based on the Zoning Diagram - 5 story, 50 ft plus bulkheads. Slight accordion shape on the facade. But based on DXA's other projects, hoping the devil's in the details and it will have some interesting architectural elements...

BTW, the parking garage went for $15,700,000. Add 103 Underhill at $928,428 (the third, interior lot seems to have been part of that package) and the cost of acquiring the property came in at a cool $16,628,428 - almost exactly $300 per buildable square foot (building will be 55,000 net residential square feet).

With neighborhood new-build condos pushing $1,000 per square foot, you only need to guess the construction and carrying costs to know what the developer plans to make on the project. The apartments will average a generous 1,700 sq feet each.

Last ACRIS tidbits - looks like the owner of 103 Underhill bought the place for $28K back in 1985; so he cleared $900K in the deal (may just be for the easement!).

And the parking garage last changed hands in 2004 for $520K; so Marks Avenue Realty saw a 3,000% appreciation in 10 years and cleared a healthy $15,200,000. Kinda makes you want to quit parking cars for a living, right?

@steveo not even close - that place on a good day (at least in the past 5 years) maybe had a few dozen cars in it - MAYBE 100 tops but they were refusing new monthlies for a while, probably anticipating the sale.

Rate was around $250 - 300/month depending on size of your vehicle. I bet they cleared less than $40K/month even with daily parkers.

@notsayin Yeah maybe my memory is bad; I haven't been in there for probably at least a year.

But the footprint of the garage was huge and I remember it as pretty filled up with cars -- they even had some car lifts in there to double up on spaces. 500 was admittedly a wild guess, though, and it makes sense that they were scaling down at the end.

Wait a day, get more detail. Builder posted the required new project signage on the fence Friday...including the world's worst elevation drawing, which (sort-of) confirms the building will have five floors, lots of rectangular windows, and (maybe) a door.

The noise is unbearable!! It's also making my building shake. I spoke to the project manager who said this will be going on for 3-4 days! I made a complaint to 311 for noise and for the building shaking, I encourage all neighbors to do the same. Not hopeful that much will change, but it at least mademe feel better

"The five-story apartment building rising between Vanderbilt and Underhill avenues in Prospect Heights is being developed by DNA and is designed by DXA Studio. In addition to 32 apartments (all with private outdoor space), the building will have an underground garage with 34 spaces and 54 bike parking spots."

"One-bedrooms will start at $899,000, two-bedrooms at $1.299 million, three-bedrooms at $1.619 million, and four-bedrooms at $2.499 million. And, with a display of optimism for the ever-rising Brooklyn market, particularly in once-marginal neighborhoods, the developers told the Observer that a couple of the units will be over $3 million. Currently, the median price for a one-bedroom in the neighborhood is around $810,000."

"INSPIRED BY BROOKLYN’S ARTISAN TRADITIONSLocated in the heart of Prospect Heights, one of Brooklyn’s most vibrant, diverse and historic neighborhoods, 280 St. Marks embraces a way of life that balances a personal point of view and a commitment to community. A vision of green, healthy living extends to interiors that welcome the outdoors in. Each home has been thoughtfully designed with its own private backyard, terrace, or balcony and crafted with materials and finishes sustainably sourced from local artisans and craftsmen. The residences evolve with you, with smart and functional floor plans that elevate everything you do."

Wanting to confirm...In looking at this StreetEasy page, arent the prices listed here still the "list" prices, and not the actual price that they are in contract for? These havent actually closed yet, right?...so, we dont know what they actually sold for post-negotiations, right? Is there any way to see negotiated "In Contract" prices? And, it appears that their taxes are unabated and monthly cc's are quite high, so wondering if purchase prices for the units was lower to offset the higher monthly carrying costs..? Anyone have any info on that? And, anyone have any idea how far they are from completing the building, getting their CofO, & when actual closings/move-ins will happen?

My layman's understanding is that abatements are more or less reserved for rentals with at least some rent-regulated units at this point. Even before 421a expired the backlash over some of the 57th street developments led the city to stop abating taxes on condo developments. And lets be real, if you can afford a two million dollar apartment (or a three million dollar brownstone for that matter), you can afford to pay taxes on it.

Slowest construction project I've seen in a long time. Working 7 days a week but progress seems negligible. Maybe they are handcarving those sustainably sourced tub surrounds from local artisans and craftsmen. No way they occupy in June. Maybe June 2018.

Does anyone have a clue what is going on here? Construction seems to have stalled, just a few workers on site at a time. You'd think they would be in full court press to get the project done and occupied. Mysterious...